Course Overview:
This 30-week GCSE-level course provides a comprehensive introduction to the U.S. Constitution and Civics, covering its historical foundations, core principles, and contemporary implications. The course integrates videos, interactive activities, and geographical/sociological insights into different regions of the U.S. to provide a culturally enriched learning experience.
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Weeks 1-5: Foundations of American Government
1. The Idea of Government – Theories of government, democracy vs. republics. (Video: CrashCourse on Government Basics)
2. The U.S. Constitution: An Overview – Key principles, structure, and purpose. (Activity: Annotate and summarize the Preamble.)
3. The Founding Fathers and Their Vision – Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists. (Debate: Centralized power vs. state rights.)
4. The Bill of Rights – Fundamental freedoms and protections. (Case study: Landmark Supreme Court cases.)
5. The Separation of Powers – Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. (Role-play: Students take on government roles and pass a law.)
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Weeks 6-10: The Constitution in Action
6. Checks and Balances – Preventing tyranny. (Game: Simulate a constitutional crisis.)
7. How a Bill Becomes a Law – The legislative process. (Video: Schoolhouse Rock – “I’m Just a Bill.”)
8. Federalism: National vs. State Powers – The balance of authority. (Geographical focus: Comparing Texas and California governance.)
9. The Role of the Supreme Court – Interpreting the Constitution. (Mock trial: Students argue a past Supreme Court case.)
10. The Electoral System and Voting Rights – Elections, primaries, and voter impact. (Activity: Simulate an electoral college vote.)
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Weeks 11-15: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
11. Freedom of Speech and Religion – First Amendment debates. (Discussion: Hate speech vs. free speech.)
12. Gun Rights and the Second Amendment – History and controversy. (Case study: Comparing gun laws in different states.)
13. Civil Rights Movement and Progress – From Reconstruction to today. (Video: Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.)
14. Women’s Rights and the Equal Protection Clause – Key cases and progress. (Sociological focus: Gender rights across U.S. states.)
15. Immigration and Citizenship – The process and the debate. (Activity: Students take a sample U.S. citizenship test.)
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Weeks 16-20: Political Systems and Society
16. Political Parties and Ideologies – Republicans, Democrats, and independents. (Comparison: Red state vs. blue state political trends.)
17. The Media and Political Influence – Propaganda, misinformation, and bias. (Activity: Fact-check real political ads.)
18. Interest Groups and Lobbying – The power of advocacy. (Debate: Do lobbyists have too much influence?)
19. State and Local Governments – How policies vary across the U.S. (Geographical focus: New York vs. rural Midwest governance.)
20. Public Policy and the Economy – The government’s role in economic stability. (Video: The Great Depression and New Deal policies.)
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Weeks 21-25: Contemporary Issues and Global Context
21. Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement – Policing, incarceration, and reform. (Case study: Different approaches to crime in U.S. cities.)
22. Healthcare and Social Welfare – Federal vs. state responsibilities. (Discussion: Comparing U.S. healthcare with European models.)
23. Climate Policy and Environmental Protection – Federal and state responses. (Geographical focus: Louisiana vs. California environmental laws.)
24. America’s Role in Global Politics – Diplomacy, military, and alliances. (Video: The history of U.S. foreign policy.)
25. Constitutional Challenges in the 21st Century – Cybersecurity, privacy, and AI. (Debate: Should the Constitution be amended for the digital age?)
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Weeks 26-30: Reflection and Application
26. Landmark Constitutional Amendments – Beyond the Bill of Rights. (Activity: Propose a 28th Amendment.)
27. Civic Engagement and Activism – How citizens influence policy. (Project: Research and present a civic movement.)
28. The American Identity – What does it mean to be American? (Sociological focus: Regional identities in the U.S.)
29. Final Debate: The Future of American Democracy – Major political questions. (Student-led debate on the biggest constitutional issue today.)
30. Course Wrap-Up and Reflection – What have we learned? (Roundtable discussion: How does the Constitution shape everyday life?)
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Additional Features:
Guest Speakers: U.S. law professionals, political analysts, and civic leaders.
YouTube Viewings: CrashCourse Government, Supreme Court cases, and historical speeches.
Debate Days: Student-led discussions on controversial constitutional issues.
Interactive Maps: Comparing governance and laws in different U.S. regions.
Mock Simulations: Legislative process, Supreme Court rulings, and elections.
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This course on U.S. Constitution and Civics offers an engaging and practical understanding of American government, balancing historical context, contemporary issues, and real-world applications.
USA Heritage Academy 